Gukesh Dommaraju (born 29 May 2006), known as D. Gukesh, is an Indian chess grandmaster and the reigning world champion. In December 2024, aged 18, he defeated Ding Liren in Singapore to become the youngest undisputed world champion in history. He is only the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to hold the title. He defends his crown against Javokhir Sindarov in Geneva from November 2026.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Dommaraju Gukesh |
| Born | 29 May 2006, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Age | 20 |
| Title | Grandmaster (2019); World Chess Champion (2024) |
| Parents | Dr. Rajinikanth (ENT surgeon), Dr. Padma (microbiologist) |
| Trainer | Grzegorz Gajewski |
| Major titles | World Championship (2024), Candidates Tournament (2024), Chess Olympiad team gold (2024) |
| Honour | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2025) |
Early Life
Gukesh was born in Chennai to a Telugu family. His father is an ENT surgeon and his mother a microbiologist. He learned chess at seven and trained at a local academy. His father scaled back his medical practice to travel with him to tournaments.
Career
Gukesh became a grandmaster in January 2019 at 12 years, 7 months and 17 days, then the second-youngest in history. At the 2022 Chess Olympiad he won individual gold on the top board. In 2023 he passed Viswanathan Anand to become India’s top-rated player, ending Anand’s 37-year reign.
In April 2024, aged 17, Gukesh won the Candidates Tournament in Toronto, becoming the youngest player ever to earn a world title shot. Months later he led India to its first Chess Olympiad team gold in Budapest and again won individual gold on board one.
In the 2024 World Championship match in Singapore, Gukesh beat defending champion Ding Liren 7.5–6.5. He won the decisive final game on 12 December 2024 and became the youngest undisputed world champion ever. In 2025 he beat Magnus Carlsen in a classical game at Norway Chess, though his results over the year were mixed. His first title defence, against Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov, is scheduled for Geneva from late November to mid-December 2026. It is set to be the youngest World Championship match in history.
Personal Life
Gukesh is known for his calm temperament. He works with a mental conditioning coach, Paddy Upton, who previously worked with India’s cricket teams. He credits his parents’ sacrifices and Viswanathan Anand’s academy for his rise.
Awards and Achievements
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Gukesh born?
Gukesh was born on 29 May 2006 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
